Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Sudbury, MA

Sparsely populated and rich in colonial history, Sudbury is an affluent town in Greater Boston’s MetroWest region.

The United States’ oldest continuously operating inn is located in Sudbury. In the 1920s, this site became the focal point for a proposed living history museum envisioned by car manufacturer Henry Ford (1863-1947).

Although his plans did not come to fruition, the grounds of the Wayside Inn retain fascinating remnants, as does the area further along the Boston Post Road (Route 20) in Marlborough.

In order to preserve its rural character, Sudbury boasts two national wildlife refuges within its boundaries, alongside a charming historic center where minutemen gathered before departing to engage in the Battles of Lexington and Concord, marking the onset of the American Revolutionary War.

1. Wayside Inn Historic District

Established in 1686 and operating continuously since 1716, the Wayside Inn is recognized as the oldest continuously operating inn in the country.

In 1923, Henry Ford expressed interest in developing a living history attraction on this site, similar to his Greenfield Village project.

Several structures were subsequently established, including a grist mill, the non-denominational Martha-Mary Chapel, and the historically significant Redstone Schoolhouse, which was moved from Sterling, MA.

Inside the inn, visitors can explore several museum rooms showcasing artifacts from the colonial era, with the Longfellow Parlor serving as a centerpiece, having inspired Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s (1807-1882) collection of poems, “Tales of a Wayside Inn” (1863).

2. Wayside Inn Grist Mill

A key attraction on the Wayside Inn grounds is the operational water-powered grist mill, constructed by Henry Ford in the late 1920s.

The millpond that powers the water wheel dates back to the early 18th century, while the present mill was built near the original Howe family grist mill from that era.

Accessible to the public, the mill offers a picturesque representation of rural New England and once produced flour for Pepperidge Farms, which later became the inspiration for their product logo.

Visitors may purchase bags of flour at the inn’s store and can observe milling demonstrations on weekends during peak seasons.

3. Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge

A substantial portion of western Sudbury encompasses this 2,300-acre National Wildlife Refuge, previously utilized by the US Army from 1942 until it was transferred to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in 2000.

Along 15 miles of trails, visitors will discover intriguing remnants from the refuge’s military past, including WWII-era ammunition bunkers hidden among the trees.

The main parking area in Sudbury provides access to an extensive trail network that meanders through forests and open fields, leading to vernal pools and the banks of the expansive Puffer Pond.

The visitor center, situated within Sudbury, occupies a 5,000-square-foot eco-friendly building and features exhibits regarding the area’s ecology, prehistory, and the nation’s early conservationists dating back to the 19th century.

4. Sudbury Center Historic District

The historic center of Sudbury resembles an outdoor museum, featuring centuries-old architecture surrounding a common area, with elegant residences extending outward.

Here, the militia and minutemen assembled on the morning of April 19, 1775, prior to engaging in the Battles of Lexington and Concord.

Prominently situated on the green is the First Parish Church (1797), noteworthy as the context for the Sudbury Inhabitants vs. Thomas Stearns (1838) lawsuit, which established that the parish, rather than the town, governed church records.

To the east can be found the Greek Revival Town Hall (1846, rebuilt 1932) and the Loring Parsonage (c. 1730), which now houses the local historical society museum. The south side features the Hosmer House (1793) in the Federal style. A charming park, complete with a playground and pond, is also accessible here.

5. Sudbury History Center and Museum

In 2021, the Sudbury Historical Society inaugurated a new headquarters and museum at a historic location in Sudbury Center.

The Loring Parsonage, constructed circa 1730 and originally serving as the residence of the town’s first minister, later accommodated numerous descendants of the Wheeler and Hayes family.

The exhibit area, known as the Jonathan Baggott Gallery, chronicles Sudbury’s history comprehensively from its earliest settlements to contemporary times.

Additional galleries delve into the life of Rev. Israel Loring and his family, displaying selected artifacts from the society’s extensive archive. The gift shop also merits attention, filled with locally crafted items, clothing, and accessories.

6. Tippling Rock

Located in the southern part of Sudbury is a significant outcropping accessible via conservation land acquired by the town in the late 1990s.

The summit of Tippling Rock, a part of Nobscot Hill, rises to more than 600 feet above sea level, making it the highest point in the town, providing expansive views towards Boston.

According to tradition, the boulder positioned atop the formation once shifted back and forth, inspiring its name and was utilized by Native Americans for communication purposes.

From the peak, it is possible to overlook the western suburbs and identify landmarks such as Great Blue Hill, the John Hancock Tower, Prudential Building, and Four Seasons Boston.

7. Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge

The Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge’s headquarters are located in Sudbury, which encompasses habitats rich in freshwater wetlands along the Sudbury River.

Renowned for its birdwatching opportunities, this area is one of two units comprising over 3,800 acres of significant wildlife habitat in Sudbury and Concord.

The Sudbury section includes the Weir Hill Trail, providing a scenic walk through woods, marshes, riverbanks, brooks, and ponds.

A shorter Red Maple Trail features an observation platform where visitors can spot marsh wrens, muskrats, and painted turtles in the riparian zone. Additionally, one can launch a canoe or kayak at the refuge to navigate the 1.5-mile Sudbury River Paddle Trail.

8. Redstone Schoolhouse

Among the historic structures within the Wayside Inn Historic District is the one-room Redstone Schoolhouse, located a short distance from the Martha-Mary Chapel.

Constructed in the late 18th century, this schoolhouse was originally situated on Redstone Hill in Sterling, MA, before being relocated to the Wayside Inn by Ford in 1927.

According to popular belief, this is the very school referenced in Sarah Josepha Hale’s (1788-1879) nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”

This narrative originates from the recollections of one Sterling resident, Mary Tyler (1806-1889), who, at age 70, claimed to be the Mary who brought her pet lamb to school as a child.

9. New England Garden Company

In Sudbury, visitors can explore an exquisite outdoor display garden along with an indoor showroom offered by the New England Garden Company, which specializes in ornamental garden elements.

As the largest establishment of its kind in the Northeast, it presents an extraordinary selection of decorative items, antique furniture, art, repurposed architectural elements, and more, sourced from across America and various European countries.

Within this 6,000-square-foot space, one can easily lose track of time while browsing through centuries-old finials, stone troughs, sundials, millstones, statues, fountains, cisterns, and Victorian ironwork, among countless other items.

10. Wayside Country Store

Traveling slightly east along Route 20, visitors will encounter a historic building that, until the late 1920s, stood prominently in Sudbury Center.

This is the Wayside Country Store, a quaint, nostalgic candy shop that formed part of Ford’s grand vision for the Wayside Inn.

Originally known as the Parmenter-Garfield General Store, this Federal-style building was constructed in 1790 and served several roles throughout its history, including that of a post office and a school where the future 20th president, James A. Garfield (1831-1881), briefly taught.

Ford acquired the structure in 1928, cutting it in half before relocating it to the north shore of Hager’s Pond on Route 20.

The second floor offers a selection of board games and jigsaw puzzles, while the establishment also includes a European-style bakery and a full-service dining venue.

11. Haskell Field

For active recreation, Haskell Field serves as the community hub, featuring numerous sports facilities utilized for local programs such as Sudbury Youth Soccer.

This open space includes six smaller soccer fields, three larger fields, lacrosse fields, and a 90-foot baseball diamond.

Notably, there is an impressive playground, enclosed for safety, providing ample space for children between ages 2 to 5 and 5 to 12 to enjoy climbing structures, swings, slides, and shaded picnic tables.

Restroom facilities and a concession stand offering refreshments and snacks are available on-site.

12. Bruce Freeman Rail Trail

By the time this article is published, Sudbury may be positioned as an ideal destination for hikers and cyclists, due to the convergence of two long-distance rail trails.

The first, the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, is anticipated to extend 25 miles, and construction was ongoing in Sudbury at the time of this writing.

This trail is designed to traverse 5.9 miles north to south through the town, following the route of the historic Framingham and Lowell Line (1871) of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad.

It will connect with the Mass Central Rail Trail, which lies on an inactive section of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Right-of-Way, a popular but unpaved hiking trail within the town.

Ultimately, the Mass Central Rail Trail is projected to encompass a 104-mile east-to-west pathway between Boston and Northampton.

13. Duck Soup

Among the varied options along Route 20 is this locally owned store, offering a diverse range of products that include gourmet food items, high-end kitchenware, handmade ceramics, and locally distilled spirits.

Supporting local and regional artisans, Duck Soup has been operational for over 50 years and gained recognition in 2018 for acquiring the rights to produce the classic Sky Bar candy, initially introduced in 1938 by the now-defunct Necco company. This item is manufactured and sold at a separate storefront next door.

The main store features an extensive selection of specialty products made in New England, encompassing everything from rum to maple syrup, along with a vast assortment of candies and snacks sourced from as far as the UK, South Africa, and the Netherlands.

14. Garden in the Woods

Located just across the border in Framingham, visitors will find a remarkable botanical garden nestled within a mature oak forest, which serves as the headquarters for the Native Plant Trust.

Open from mid-April to mid-October, the Garden in the Woods is dedicated to native New England flora, showcasing the largest landscaped collection of wildflowers in the area, featuring approximately 1,700 plants from 1,000 diverse species, many of which are scarce or under threat.

For three decades, the garden was the passion project of landscape designer Will C. Curtis (1883-1969) and, following his death, was entrusted to the New England Wild Flower Society. The site also encompasses New England’s largest retail native plant nursery.

15. Boston Paintball Maynard

On the line between Sudbury and Maynard, an outdoor paintball facility operates seasonally from April through November.

Featuring a combination of wooded and open spaces, this facility includes three courses located within the Maynard Rod and Gun Club premises.

Most notably, the Maynard Outpost offers an exhilarating building-to-building field, complete with multiple multilevel structures and intriguing obstacles like abandoned tanks.

The woodsball area, referred to as Bunker Hill, presents various huts and towers, along with a downed helicopter situated beneath a significant hill that provides a tactical advantage. Open play is available on weekends, with advance reservations required during weekdays.